Showing 988 results

A group of Edmontonians concerned about the rapid destruction of historical buildings in the city formed the Society for the Protection of Architectural Resources in Edmonton (SPARE) in June 1978. Their aims were to raise public awareness of architectural resources, to encourage renovation and recycling of older buildings and to promote community involvement with architectural heritage. The group lobbied and made presentations to the public and the city's Development Appeal Board to ensure that destruction of historic buildings only occurred after wide community debate and input.

The founding meeting of the Society of Retired City of Edmonton Employees (SRCEE) was held at the Central Lion's Recreation Centre on July 6, 1978 with Emma Doray as the Chairperson.

The Society was formed in 1970 to provide seniors with resources to help themselves and others make use of their skills and life experiences. They have a resource centre and numerous programs including a volunteer program which coordinates the efforts of members in a variety of services. In 2005 the Society was reorganized and changed their name to S.A.G.E. the Seniors' Association of Greater Edmonton.

Society of Western Canadian Artists (SWCA) started as part of the Federation of Canadian Artists (FCA). The FCA was formed in 1941 at a conference in Ontario. The FCA organized with the purpose of providing assistance to people who were working in Canadian art. After the FCA organized, chapters were formed throughout Canada between 1946 and 1947, including in Edmonton. The Edmonton chapter disbanded in 1950 and the FCA disbanded at the national level in 1954 forcing chapters to close, except for the Vancouver Chapter. In 1960 the British Columbia Region of the FCA was incorporated.
In 1981 the Edmonton chapter of the FCA reorganized, founding members included Edith Miller, Meredith Evans, Margaret Chappelle, Isabel Levesque, Ken Brown, Jerry Heine, and George Weber. The Edmonton Chapter of the FCA was incorporated under the Societies Act in 1985. By 1998 the Edmonton Chapter was no longer associated with the FCA and became a self-supporting society. This resulted in the changing of name and bylaws and the Society of Western Canadian Artists came to be.
SWCA works to create an environment that allows artists to learn from one another with the motto “Artists helping artists.” Members of the society range from professionals to novice artists, hobbyists, or people who just enjoy art. Membership usually falls between 100 to 150 artists from Edmonton and the surrounding areas.
SWCA offers workshops, exhibitions and featured artist events to help support and connect artists. They also have a library in which members can check out art related materials.

P. Sorenson has been a resident of Edmonton for many years.

Edith Sparks has been a resident of Edmonton for a great many years. She has served as a tireless volunteer for the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues and is known as their historian. She organized their archives and assisted greatly with the compilation of the 1984 Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues' history "Volunteers". Mrs. Sparks is also interested in the history of the community generally and has written and amassed quite a collection of materials about Edmonton, and several other community groups.

The St. David’s Welsh Society of Edmonton began with a small group of local Welsh in 1904 who would regularly gather to share songs, language, and literature. The small group, however, separated itself into two separate entities: the St. David’s Welsh Society and the St. David’s Male Welsh Voice Choir. The Society quickly grew and in 1931 had over 100 members. Early meetings included singing songs, parlour games, and Welsh food, such as Welsh cakes. The Society has participated in the Edmonton Heritage Festival since 1976 and hosts Welsh themed events, such as a banquet to celebrate the patron saint of Wales, St. David, and a bilingual Welsh/English hymn singing event, the Gymanfa Ganu. The Society built a cabin at the Devonian Gardens to commemorate David Thompson, a Welsh explorer, for all Albertans to enjoy. The Society also aims to provide assistance to various visiting and local musicians including, giving financial support to the Edmonton Opera Association and sponsoring a harp and vocal competition for youths. In its pursuit to support educational opportunities, the Society established the traveling Artist in Resident program for Edmonton and district schools, provided scholarships for the Kiwanis Festival, and bursaries for University of Alberta students studying history of the fur trade, vocal, and harp. The St. David’s Welsh Society continues to foster a community of Welsh heritage, language, and culture in Edmonton.

Morris Trach, a dance caller, started St. Peter's 2 x 4's square dance club in 1965 with the encouragement of the Rector ot St. Peter's Anglican Church to add to the social aspect of the congregation.

James B. Stanton was a media relations consultant from St. Albert who was involved in the preparations for the World Universiade Games in Edmonton in 1983.

Lillian J. Staroszik was elected Alderman for Edmonton's Ward 5 in four consecutive elections, holding office between 1983 and 1995. She came in third in the 1995 election, only a few hundred votes shy of the newly elected Ward 5 Councilors Larry Langley and Brent Maitson.